LeRoy “Chad” Chadwick passed away March 22 at age 91. He was raised in St. Paul, Minn., and was a 45-year resident of rural Peterson, developing many close friendships. Chad spent his youth deeply involved in the Boy Scouts, later becoming a scout master. He was a WWII Combat Veteran with the U.S. Naval-Marine Assault Forces, fighting in South Pacific and rescuing many POWs out of China. After the war he earned a degree in Mortuary Science at the U of MN and was a funeral director in St. Paul for many years. He was an active outdoorsman, hunter, fisherman, downhill and XC skier, making regular canoe trips into the BWCA since the late 1940s. Chad was also an active birder and beekeeper, from which he received a lot of enjoyment. He loved the woods and the home that he and his wife Helen built, and for many years operated an organic strawberry and honey business. Chad was the lay-reader at Emmanuel Church in Rushford as a traditional Episcopalian for many years, a member of the Masonic Lodge of Rushford, and a life member of the Beaver Valley Boy Scout Camp.
He was preceded in death by his father, LeRoy; mother Hazel, brother Rex, and three sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Helen; a son, Philip (fiancé Ingrid); brother-in-law Karl Friedline, several nieces and nephews, and many life-long friends. Chad will be remembered for his tremendous sense of humor, his honor, integrity, deep values and devotion to his faith, family and country.
Memorial service details will be shared at a later date. Please share a memory of Chad at his online guestbook and view his video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral and Cremation Service of Rushford is assisting the family with arrangements.